Set at the beginning of the second year of the First World War the book tells the story of a working family and how war touched everyone in so many ways. Left to run the family narrow boat when his father goes to war and his mother is injured in a bombing raid on London, Harry and his dog Milly set off from London to Birmingham delivering coal to local people who live close to the canal. The story is one of friendship, understanding and kindness towards all they meet and of hope for mankind even in the middle of war.